“Yes.” I thought about the damage he had taken today. “He’s banged up, again, and I owe him.”
The three of us could have rounded up the pups without his assistance, but he took the hurting for us.
“He’s a good man.” Asa slid his focus back to me. “He won’t survive long without you.”
“Your other half would be thrilled to hear it.”
A soft huff of laughter was his only response.
“Do you think you’ll be home—back?—tonight?”
Homewas too presumptuous, even if it felt that way with him and Clay, but there was no taking it back.
“No.” He caught my hands as they eased down his chest. “We’ll stay in Munford until we corral the kelpie.”
“I figured.” I toyed with the buttons on the front of his shirt. “Keep me in the loop?”
“Of course.” He leaned down until his warm lips pressed against my forehead. “Will you think of me?”
Without further ado, he turned us around, and we began the short walk back to Clay. No doubt, Asa had wanted to give me a second to compose myself before I answered him, since I had trouble articulating mushy stuff in the best of times.
“I always think of you when you’re not here.” The honesty left me raw. “I like having you around.”
The slow grin that spread across his face was radiant, and I wanted to stop and stare.
Like a creeper.
Or a lovesick fool.
I wasn’t sure which was worse.
“I would like to take you on a date when I return.” He flashed me a smile. “Will you go out with me?”
“Hmm.” I scrunched up my face, pretending to think about it. “Depends.”
The tiniest line appeared between his brows. “On?”
“Whether Aedan has dragged me beneath the waves to his undersea kingdom to be his bride.”
“I would kill him.” Asa brought my hand to his lips. “I wouldn’t be able to help myself.”
“The first part I believe.” I held out a hand and wobbled it side to side. “The other part…” It hit me then, what he meant. “You mean the daemon would kill him.”
“He would do anything for you. Name it, and it will be yours. Ask it, and it will be done.”
The way his mouth lingered on my skin made me bold. “What would you do for me?”
“There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” His teeth scraped my skin. “I am utterly fascinated by you.”
The tightness in my throat made it hard to swallow. “Same.”
“Truly?” He jerked his head up to study me. “You mean that?”
“I am utterly fascinated by you too.”
And I was afraid of what I might do for him, if he asked me, if he needed me to do it.
I had been a creature of bloodlust with flesh between her teeth, a monster with no morals or cares. That vicious, craven thing had been driven by her own selfish needs and wants. Imagine what I might do to protect those I loved, to keep them safe.